Let’s Connect
We are here
if you are looking to connect someone to our supportive services.
If you have questions about supporting our organization, please reach out and connect with us. We welcome the community to become part of our work in raising up our youth and young families.
Fill out the form with your inquiries or visit our staff directory for contact info.
Staff Directory
Jordon Eunison-Chisti, PhD
Jordon is a researcher, educator and community health leader committed to creating, implementing, and sustaining innovate strategies and practices to advance the health and wellness of individuals, families and communities. His work is embedded in establishing relationships and collaborative partnerships that are result oriented, which is critical to enhancing the vision and mission of organizations, programs and projects. Jordon considers himself a lead learner and effectively creates an environment to elevate human capital through professional and personal enhancement. He was born and raised in Duluth, MN and thrilled to be back in his hometown after spending over 15 years in New Mexico. Jordon enjoys spending time with his wife and family, running, reading, and venturing out for hikes in the Northland.
Eric Goetz
Eric earned a B.A. in Social Work from The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota. He joined Life House in 2012 as the Employment Case Manager. Shortly thereafter Eric transitioned over to the Housing Program as a Transitional Housing Case Manager/Intake Specialist. In 2014, Eric was promoted to Housing Program Manager where he was responsible for the oversight of all the Life House Supportive Housing Programs as well as administering homeless and prevention crisis funding.
Ryan Irlbeck
Ryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and is a former Certified Public Accountant. He has more than eleven years of nonprofit management experience.
Erich Lutz
Erich has 20 years’ experience working with high-risk homeless and street youth. Erich has overseen the successful implementation of several major initiatives at Life House including two Department of Human Services licensed housing programs (Sol House and The Loft), a transitional employment program (The Legitimate Hustle), and the expansion of the Life House Housing Program from 15 to 50 beds. Erich has been honored with the Youth Intervention Program Association 2015 Friends of Youth Leadership Award and the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless 2018 Bruce Vento Distinguished Service Award.
Teri Moody
Gabe Mayfield
Gabe graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Superior in 2001 and has extensive community involvement—from the Lyric Opera of the North to the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial. He has been a Crew Leader and Program Manager for Duluth Stream Corps, but is passionate about basketball and the arts. He has shared those passions here at Life House, taking youth to the YMCA for basketball or teaching weekly song writing classes as the Activities Coordinator before becoming the Youth Center Manager.
Jordan Matteson
Jordan comes to Life House from the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she graduated with her Bachelors of Social Work and Bachelors of Applied Science in Psychology. She is a dynamic resource coordinator in helping youth obtain vital documents for employment and housing. Jordan coordinates with other local organizations trips to the Vineyard food shelf as well as assisting youth with obtaining dental services.
Cheyenne Alisankus
Cheyenne Alisankus graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from UW-Whitewater in 2013. She was hired on at Life House in the Sol House program in August of 2015, and stayed on as “on call” while she worked at Woodland Hills full time. Cheyenne was hired on in the Youth Center in March of 2017 as the Resource Coordinator, and was eventually promoted to the Case Manager for The Loft in June of 2019. Most recently, Cheyenne accepted the position of Life Hacks Coordinator within the Futures Program. Cheyenne has been working with youth for the last 10 years in various capacities. As Life Hacks Coordinator she works with the all Life House programs to coordinate and provide meaningful programming and classes to Life House youth.
Dan Pugleasa
Kyle Naalsund
Kyle graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Superior in 1998 with a BS in Secondary Education, Mathematics. He has more than 12 years’ experience working with youth ages 13 – 21, specializing in at-risk and homeless youth.
Travis Dombrovski
Travis graduated from UW Stout in 1997 with a BS degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. He has worked with youth in a number of capacities. Since moving to Duluth in 2001, he’s worked in housing and case management that specialize in helping mentally ill and the less fortunate. Prior to his work at the Life House, he worked as an advocate in the Duluth Public Schools. Travis enjoys the outdoors and giving youth opportunities for new experiences.
Tiffany Gunderson
Tiffany has been working in the mental health field for 20 years with over a decade of experience working with the homeless population. She has assisted individuals with obtaining chemical dependency treatment, mental health services, building peoples independent living skills, and is a SOAR worker for Social Security. She also was active in conducting Street Outreach. Over the years, Tiffany has built exceptional relationships with property managers and landlords along with reaching out to other agencies to learn about their programs. Tiffany works with youth to understand the housing programs, which they are eligible for and allowing them the choice to apply for a program.
Maya French, LGSW
Maya graduated from Western Washington University in 2016 with a BS in psychology. Her program’s commitment to cross-cultural awareness and reducing health disparities set the stage for her future career interests. At Life House, Maya oversees the transitional employment program and has the privilege of helping youth refine their employment skills in a supportive environment. She immensely enjoys working with Life House youth and is regularly inspired by their resilience in the face of adversity.
Julie Flint, MSW, LICSW
Julie has 18 years of experience providing direct services to children and families, and 8 years of experience providing trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, in conjunction with other evidenced-based therapeutic interventions which are appropriate for helping children and families to understand and address their individual needs and goals for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness. Julie is a Potawatomie descendent from lower Michigan, and she wrote her masters thesis for UMD on Cross-Cultural Social Work. Julie is committed to a client focused approach, which begins with developing a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Julie has been a Mental Health Therapist at Life House since June of 2014, where she serves youth, ages 14-25 years-old, who experience the highest needs and barriers in our community; Julie accompanies them as a tireless advocate as they pursue their individual hopes and dreams.
Allie McDevitt, LADC
Allie graduated from Fond Du Lac community college and is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Being in recovery and an active member of Sober Squad, she is extremely passionate about working with at-risk youth especially individuals struggling with substance use. She is exceptional at giving them a sense of hope and is a positive supportive adult in their lives. Allie has been with Life House for 6 years and believes every youth who walks through our doors has a purpose, they may not know that yet. The youth have been a huge motivation and inspiration for her own self-growth.
Will Richardson
Will graduated from The College of Scholastica in 2019 with a B.A. in Peace & Justice Studies. Throughout his time in college, he created a large track record of social justice/diversity initiatives. From leading multiple social justice organizations, mentoring youth from underrepresented identities to becoming the chair of a newly created Diversity & Inclusion committee. He also served as Vice President of the St. Scholastic Student Body Senate. He serves as the Youth Center Activities Coordinator, where he leads many activities that include bringing his own passion for music in a guitar class for youth. Will loves the privilege of working for Life House, cherishing every moment spent with the youth.
Jason Kenison
Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in English and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in 2012. His past work includes teaching middle and high school grades in central and northern Wisconsin. Most recently, he was a live-in volunteer at the Dorothy Day House for three years serving adults facing homelessness. Jason is a fierce advocate for social justice and housing issues and has been in leadership for Northland Prism, a local LGBTQ+ group the last two years, as well as participated in Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), the Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights Coalition, and Family Freedom Center.
Ericka Robinson
Ericka graduated from University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2015, earning a BS in Social Work. She joined Life House in 2014 as an intern in the Youth Center, working alongside our Youth Center staff to put her classwork into practice. She has a long history of volunteer and service commitments in the Twin Ports community and a deep passion for working with homeless and street youth.
Anna Lieffring
Syd Weires
Niimii Eagle
Yas Antcliff
Yas graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2015 with a B.A. in American Indian Studies and Philosophy. She is currently working towards a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She first joined Life House as a Youth Advocate in the Loft Shelter. Yas is enthusiastic about helping youth in our community accomplish their goals.
Emma McLarnan (she/her)
Emma graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a B.A.Sc. in Environmental and Outdoor Education. In college Emma found an interest in the cross over between outdoor education and working with at-risk youth and worked after college as an Americorps member at the Steve O’Neil Apartments in Duluth which provide long term supportive housing to families who have experienced homelessness. She started at Life House in August of 2021 as a youth advocate in The Loft and then was promoted to Case Manager before transitioning into the Employment Case Managment position. Interested in art and business skills in her personal life, Emma is excited to work with youth to develop skills in the professional setting that will support them in developing careers in which they can thrive. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work to continue developing skills to support youth.
Zaki Ahmed
Serena Krause
Kara Schneider
Josie Fobbe
Johnson Wonsehleay
Chas Morgan
Kristi Burton
Jhon Rae Reeves
Morgan Sanders
Natalie Barber
Elise Kinzer
Alexis Osterlund
Kelly Looby
Kelly has 20 years’ experience in working with families and youth from underserved communities in Duluth. During nine of those years, Kelly provided oversight to programs focusing on providing housing and supportive services to children, youth and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Sophie Hillmeyer
Sophie earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Writing from Northern Michigan University. Throughout her education, she developed her passion for writing and community building. Sophie has more than 8 years’ experience working in communications. She comes to Life House from Essentia Health, where she recruited and enrolled participants into health research programs. Prior to college, she completed a service term with AmeriCorps National Community and Civilian Corps. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, reading, and writing.
Babette Sandman
Babette Sandman graduated from the American Indian Mental Health Training Project at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1988 where she completed an internship with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP). While at DAIP she obtained work through the National Training Project bringing an education style nationally and internationally known as In Our Best Interest to people who have been oppressed and dehumanized living through domestic violence and sexual assault. This training helps humanize and sets up environments that address oppression using Paula Freire methods. Babette is and enrolled member of White Earth Nation.